The Obstacle Is The Way: My New Book & A Bunch of Reading List Bonuses

I’ve waited to write this post since I was 19 years old. I’m coming to you, my readers—many of whom I’ve known since I started on this journey—to officially announce my book, The Obstacle Is The Way, and offer these amazing bonuses as a thank you for your support.

It started with a decision to really get into reading, which brought me to an old book (Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations). That amazing book guided me to many other books (many we’ve read together) and eventually led to the creation of this book (which I am as proud of as I have been of anything I’ve ever done).

I can’t tell you how grateful I am for all the connections I’ve made over the years with you. So let’s get to it.

The Book

The book is The Obstacle Is The Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials Into Triumphs. As all of you know, I’ve always been a student of Stoicism, a practical philosophy favored by influential Greek and Roman statesman and thinkers. I’ve long written about these things on my blog but never in a book. That changes now. This book isn’t about Stoicism, though. It’s a book about using the best parts of Stoicism to solve the actual problems that ambitious, hardworking people face. The premise of the book is based on a simple maxim by Marcus Aurelius:

“The impediment to action advances action.
What stands in the way becomes the way.”

From this maxim I’ve created a manual for overcoming obstacles and turning them into opportunities—illustrated with dozens of stories (many of which we read here first) from John D. Rockefeller to Amelia Earhart to Ulysses S. Grant to Steve Jobs to George Clooney to Barack Obama to Laura Ingalls Wilder to Arthur Ashe to Demosthenes to Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Edison. It is a book that will become more valuable to you as you revisit it, using it when faced with the challenges we all face in life.

“Follow these precepts and you will revolutionize your life. Read this book!”
Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art and Gates of Fire

My Offer To You

Like last time, I want this book to reach people and make a difference. I also want it to be a bestseller and I’m asking for your help to do that. To make it worth your while, here’s the offer:

If you pre-order 1 copy of the book before May 1st, you’ll receive:

*1 supplementary PDF, “How I Wrote The Obstacle Is The Way”, which details the process that allowed me to write the book in three months, and how a chance encounter with Tim Ferriss and a trip to Rome helped me finish the manuscript.

*1 exclusive copy of “The Obstacle Is The Way Reading List”, which details all the books that led to me writing The Obstacle Is The Way.

*1 exclusive copy of my entire archive of Reading Recommendations, which includes every book I’ve recommended over the past four years. I’ve never compiled a full list of everything that’s ever been in the list before—it will be hundreds of handpicked books not available anywhere else.

All of the above (PDF about the book, the reading list and an archive of the hundreds and hundreds of books I’ve recommended) PLUS:

*1 private/confidential copy of my Mastery of Marketing Reading List (required books and articles) that I used to train myself and now each of my new employees.

*1 one-of-a-kind, original signed 4×6 notecard that I actually used while researching and writing this book. I’ll pick one at random, sign it, and mail it to you. You can use it as a bookmark, paste it inside your copy of the book, or put it on your wall.

*3 personalized book recommendations that I’ll select just for you. You tell me a little about what you like to read and I’ll personally pick out three of my favorite books that I think you should read and will love.

*1 invitation to a one hour private group Q&A webinar where I’ll answer questions live about The Obstacle Is The Way, my previous books, and anything else anyone asks.

If you pre-order 15 copies of the book (to give to friends, family, colleagues) before May 1st (Limited to the first 50):

On top of all of the above, you will get a private 30 minute Get Unstuck one-on-one call with me. In this call, we can talk about whatever you’d like, whether its strategy, books, or obstacles. It will be your open forum. As you can see, I usually charge $1500 for an hour call like this—even more when I talk to companies and public figures. Because you guys have supported me and have been along for the ride over the years in the creation of this book, I wanted to give you a ton value for this release.

The Choose Your Own Bonus

Maybe you have a better idea for a bonus? Well, make me an offer of how many books you’d preorder for it (Hint: Start with more than 15). I’ve worked with billionaires, politicians, actors, artists, and musicians. I’ve written book proposals, created bestselling books, spoken at conferences all over the world, and lectured at world-renowned universities. All of that is on the table.

Want to work together? Want me to do a keynote for your company or conference? Advise your startup? Have a daylong personal consult? Let me know what you have in mind, I’d love to make something big happen. Put “Choose Your Own preorder” in the subject line and email ryholiday@gmail.com and I’d love to talk.

Pre-order 1 Copy, Get 3 PDFsPre-order 5 copies, Get 3 PDFs, plus a private/confidential copy of my Mastery of Marketing Reading List, a signed Commonplace Book notecard, 3 personalized reading recommendations, and a private invitation to an hour long webinar with me.Pre-order 15 copies, Get all of the above plus a private 30 minute call with me

To get these bonuses, all you have to do is email ryholiday@gmail.com with the subject line preorder #1, #2, or #3 (depending on which one you choose), and a screenshot of your Amazon or B&N or other receipt. The PDFs and reading lists will all be sent in mid-April, possibly earlier if I decide not to batch them. My assistant will email you to schedule our call together.

Ryan Holiday

I'm a strategist for bestselling authors and billion dollar brands like American Apparel, Tucker Max and Robert Greene. My work has been used as case studies by Twitter, YouTube and Google and has been written about in AdAge, the New York Times, Gawker and Fast Company.

31 responses to The Obstacle Is The Way: My New Book & A Bunch of Reading List Bonuses

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[…] Whatever problem you’re facing right now, someone else probably already went through it. And their advice and wisdom comes down to us through philosophy. It was jotted down by slaves and poets and emperors and politicians and soldiers and ordinary men and women to help with their own problems and with the problems of their friends, family and followers. This wisdom is there, available to us. […]

[…] Don’t worry, I’ll still be doing all my normal marketing stuff, including a pre-order campaign like last time. This is just a way to hear from people who might have marketing/media relationships that will help […]

[…] Don’t worry, I’ll still be doing all my normal marketing stuff, including a pre-order campaign like last time. This is just a way to hear from people who might have marketing/media relationships that will help […]